ANOTHER BRILLIANT DAY

Loads of juniors and parent members out playing today. Upgrades of memberships and cards being submitted for Certificates, Leitfie Summer League and a qualifier for the Junior Club Championship also taking place. I went out with Cameron this afternoon and Dawn was with Conan. Cameron played fantastically well and shot a nett 69 including 6 penalty shots so could have been a 63 and with improvements in uphill putting that could have been even better. What a talent and so much more to come. Whilst we were out playing a very excited Keegan came running across from the 8th green on Leitfie  to the 7th green on Rannaleroch to let me know he had just had a hole in one on the 5th. His dad Lee said that he thought it hadn’t went in and was behind the Flag but Keegan was convinced and ran down to the green and when Lee seen him take off his shirt and do a football celebration he knew he was wrong and Keegan had his first ace. Olly reduced his fun handicap by 4, both Rhys and Luke attained their 1st, 2nd Certificates and Fun Handicaps of 54 and 46 respectively. I believe the group of youngster we have just now are spurring each other on and my enthusiasm which is always at the top end is being equalled. Each day brings more surprises and successes and over the Summer we will be inviting players who have shown commitment to take part in either personal or group sessions on the course working on Course management and other improvement areas. We want to give the most committed players the best opportunity’s to succeed. 

SUPER SATURDAY

Bella and Lottie prove their new hire clubs are an instant success. Both achieved their 1st and 2nd Certificates and Fun Handicaps of 42 & 32 respectively. Ben, Fraser and Lochy also attained Fun Handicaps of 54 whilst Frederick achieved a 50. Ben got a 1st Certificate whilst Frederick his 2nd. 10 cards returned for Leitfie Summer League. Adrian and Lewis played their final cards for Full Congu Handicaps. And on Rannaleroch Blair won the June Medal by one shot from Conan and he also received confirmation that he had won the Archie Foundation Open and will receive a custom fit driver as a prize. At Gullane Kirsten reduced her handicap by 1.5 to 7.1 whilst playing in the Scottish Ladies Amateur and finished 58th. Only Hazel qualified for the top 16 matchplay finishing 4 under par 11th but lost in the first round of Knockouts. Megan at 1 under and Katy at level par qualified for the Clark Rosebowl consolation Trophy and play their semi finals on Sunday morning. 

 

MEMBER 78 JOINS UP

Luke, Jake’s brother today became new member 33 increasing the all time record of new members he also joined the Hire Scheme and was fitted for a set of clubs and also wanted a trolley. Tomorrow he will get a pair of Adidas Golf shoes from our Free Scheme and he was so desperate to try out the clubs I spent some time giving him a short session. He hit some nice iron shots and we tried the driver which he proceeded to hit 130yds straight down the middle. I think there will be a bit friendly rivalry between the 2 brothers and with Jake attaining his 2nd Certificate and Fun Handicap last night it’s going to be fun watching them on the course. We now have 55 sets, 23 trolleys and 3 range finders hired out and 15 youngsters using the free golf shoe scheme.

JUMPING FOR JOY

 This is what it feels like to achieve your 2nd Certificate, well done Jake. 

ANOTHER BUSY DAY

I took out Lewis tonight and Dawn took out Adrian for their second handicap cards, both boys did very well and were a pleasure to accompany round the course. Highlights were Adrian’s birdie 2 on the 4th and Lewis’s back to back pars on 16 & 17. Both are out on Saturday and will then have their 3 cards in. Looks like we could have another new member as well which will take our total memberships up to 78 one short of our record. This season just gets better and better. Another 5 putters have been added to our swap scheme from one of our gents members and our shipment has docked in Glasgow with our upgraded hire clubs and I am looking forward to receiving them around the middle of the month and am looking forward to getting them into use. I’ve arranged to take Jack Stevenson out on Monday for his first card and have another two who I think may be ready and hopefully I can get them out on the course in the near future as well. 

THE SEASON GETS GOING

This weekend junior Captain Kirsten Miller heads to Gullane to play in the Scottish Woman’s Amateur Championship and she will be joined by 4 past Strathmore Girls - Emily Aird, Hazel MacGarvie, Megan Ashley and Katy Alexander. Tonight Dawn and I are taking Lewis and Adrian out for cards for handicap and both will soon be joining our growing band of Full Congu Handicap players. Last weeks coaching where we concentrated on using different clubs around the greens for pitching and chipping is certainly paying dividends with Jack Stevenson telling me it helped him to a magnificent 37 round Leitfie after starting with 6,5 he then went 4,4,3,3,4,4,4. Tremendous scoring and another 4 stroke handicap reduction and another player who has been invited out for a card for handicap on Rannaleroch. Another youngster who has made dramatic progress over the last couple of weeks is Saoirse, her swing speed and the power generated has made such a difference. She attained her first Certificate easily by being able to nearly drive the first green and with not the best tee shot on 9 making the green in 2 with a great 2nd shot. It’s so exciting to see the progress these youngsters are making and the smiles and the happy dances certainly shows that they are loving it. 

GOLDEN TICKET AWAITS 2 LUCKY STRATHMORE JUNIORS

We have been selected as one of fifty Scottish Golf Clubs to participate in this inaugural event to send 2 Juniors along to the AIG Woman’s Open receiving a personal masterclass and meeting some of the Worlds top lady golfers. We are busy organising a skill challenge and a Golden Ticket Medal where both winners will qualify. In the event of the same player winning both then the 2nd player in the skills challenge will qualify.

Golden Ticket Giveaway

In celebration of 100 days to go until the AIG Women’s Open tees off at Carnoustie this summer, the R&A launched a Golden Ticket campaign offering 100 junior golfers across Scotland a golden ticket to the Championship. 

With their golden ticket in hand, junior golfers will be treated to a special masterclass on Monday 16^th August when they will receive top tips from some of the world’s best players as well as enjoy an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the Championship. 

As a participating Golf Club, you will receive 2 golden tickets to award junior golfers who, in their own play, exhibit the values of the AIG Women’s Open including inclusivity, inspire others to enjoy the sport and actively engage with golf on and off the course. 

Below is our suggested criteria on what qualities a Golden Ticket winner should have, but as I mentioned Clubs are free to determine how they pick their 2 winners: 

• Is a junior player (boys and girls) 
• Is under 16 years of age
• Inspires and engages those around them on and off the course
• Is actively involved in their club
• Challenges perceptions and speaks up for what’s right
• Is inclusive by nature and eagerly participates in club activities
• Wants to help shape the future of golf